I had visited this show before a few years ago so I was not surprised by the doll types. At that time, there were no playscale figures. Today, about four or five vendors had at least one Black Barbie or Black Barbie-clone doll. One vendor had a display of Black Barbie-clones dressed in formal gowns. (That vendor did not allow me to take a photograph.) Another vendor had a decent group of modern fashion dolls, including Black Barbies, Christies, Nikkis, and the larger scale 16" fashion dolls. The most impressive table though was by a visitor-exhibitor from Chicago who showed three dolls from the Byron Lars' Chapeaux Collection: Sugar, Coco, and Pepper.
Seeing the Byron Lars dolls in person, I could appreciate the details and the lovely hatbox cases. That gave me an idea: I could store some of my dolls in similar hatboxes or cardboard boxes sold in A.J. Wright, Ross, Conway, and other discount stores. On the other hand, I wouldn't want the Lars dolls since they struck me as show dolls and not play dolls.
Since none of the modern dolls shown were particularly thrilling ... a Ballet Black Barbie and Kelly set and a Cool Lookz Trendy, Bendy Christie, I didn't ask to photograph them. Here are two photos I took.
Overall, I enjoyed attending the International Black Doll Show. Seeing different doll types. Perhaps someday I'll rent a table at the Show and put up a modern doll and action figure display. Someday.
